Geranium plant named `Guicor`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named `Guicor,` characterized by its pink-red single type flowers that are large and that have petals which do not overlap; a bushy plant habit that produces many branches and medium-green foliage with leaves that lack, or have very weak, zonation.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geranium,botanically known as Pelargonium peltatum, and hereinafter referred toby the cultivar name `Guicor`.

`Guicor` is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating new geranium cultivars with pink single flowerswith red buds and a very weak zonation on the leaves.

`Guicor` was originated from a hybridization made by inventor BernardGuillou in a controlled breeding program in Saint Malo, Bretagne,France, in 1989. The female and male parents were unnamed hybrids fromthe proprietary Guillou collection, both parents being characterized bysingle pink and red flowers, neither parent had a compact plant habit.

`Guicor` was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by the inventors in 1989 in a controlledenvironment in Saint Malo, Bretagne, France.

The first act of asexual reproduction of `Guicor` was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in 1989 in acontrolled environment in Saint-Malo, Bretagne, France by a technicianworking under the supervision of the inventor.

Horticultural examination of selected units initiated in Hannover,Germany, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for `Guicor` are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

`Guicor` has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment suchas temperature, light intensity and day length without a change in thegenotype of the cultivar. The following observations, measurements, andcomparisions describe plants grown in Hannover, Germany under greenhouseconditions which approximate those generally used in commercialpractice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of `Guicor`, which in combination, distinguishthis geranium as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Pink-red single-type and large flowers.

2. Red buds.

3. Bushy plant habit.

4. Medium green foliage with an absent or very weak zonation.

5. Well branched plant habit.

There is no cultivar which can be closely compared to `Guicor`. Amongred geranium, the cultivar Renee U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,353 has a similarplant habit as `Guicor`.

The accompanying color photographs show typical flower and foliagecharacteristics of `Guicor`, with colors being as true as possible withphotographs of this type. FIG. 1 is a side view of the cultivar. FIG. 2is the top side view of a typical leaf and flower from `Guicor`. FIG. 3is a bottom side view of a typical leaf and flower from `Guicor`.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart. The color values weredetermined in 1994 under greenhouse conditions in Hannover, Germany.

Classification:

Botanical.--A hybrid of the species Pelargonium peltatum.

Commercial.--Ivy geranium, cultivar `Guicor`.

Inflorescence

Umbel:

Average diameter.--Approximately 100 mm.

Average depth.--Approximately 60-70 mm.

Peduncle length.--Approximately 140-150 mm.

Pedicel length.--Approximately 40 mm.

Corolla:

Average diameter.--Approximately 50 mm.

Form.--Single-type with no overlapping of petals; each corolla has fivepetals.

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Pink.

Color (petal tips).--Purple-red, approximately R.H.S. 57 C.

Color (petal center).--Pink-red, approximately R.H.S. 52 B.

Bud:

Markings.--Dark veins at base of upper petals.

Shape.--Asymmetric.

Color (immature).--Green.

Color (mature).--Red.

Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--3-7 fertile anthers; white filaments, orange pollen.

Gynoecium.--5-6 lobed stigma, red style and stigma.

Spring flowering response period: 15 weeks after planting unrootedcuttings 1 to 6 open umbels are produced (pinched plants); the number offlowers per umbel does not vary with age, season or plant vigor; theplant does not stop flowering at seed set; the plant does not have to bepinched to induce further flower bud formation.

Outdoor flower production: 80-90 umbels per plant from April-Maythroughout September-October.

Durability: Shatter resistance is good.

Plant

Foliage:

Form.--Ivy-shaped diameter of 5 to 7 cm.

Margin.--Approximately 7 indentations per leaf base with no variegation.

Color (abaxial).--Medium-green, approximately R.H.S. 137C.

Color (adaxial).--Medium-green.

Color of zonation.--Green, absent to very weak.

Tolerance of botrytis.--Good.

General appearance and form:

Internode length.--30-40 mm.

Branching pattern.--5-6 branches per plant.

Height.--70 cm. in August.

I claim:
 1. A new distinct cultivar of geranium plant named `Guicor,` asillustrated and described.